It started with a lie.

Chapter 3

Ridge POV

Dinner was over at last, and I couldn't get out of the place fast enough, returning to my apartment in the city. With all the information overload my Father had just filled my head with regarding the girl who was about to start working with me, I was already hating her.

I had to train her up, hoping to drag her sorry arse into something reasonably efficient in the office, or our reputation would be on the line with the king. If I failed in the king's eyes, I might as well kiss the Alpha position goodbye. Generally, our position as firstborn means we get automatic progression, but with brothers just as capable, I wouldn't put it past the king to give my place as Alpha to my younger brother. He was smart, good-looking, and knew how to charm the king, having done so for years, not that he was after my job; it was just his nature, as my Beta, to charm everyone if I failed to train a simple girl in office routines.

I hope she can type and quickly grasp the phones and procedures. I don't want to spend all my time going over things with a spoiled kid who doesn't appreciate it. Who would most likely cry because she broke a nail?

By the time I reached the city, I needed a drink and a break from these thoughts of tomorrow.

My Beta and Gamma were with me, as we walked the streets towards my favorite bar, it had good music, and a good place to unwind, few humans enter this bar, it was more for the werewolves, but not advertised as such, it was that most humans seem to avoid the place, guess we are too overpowering, when you get so many in one room, that most cant handle it.

As I pass the restaurant, I often frequent it after work, and they sometimes make up an order to go when I don't want to sit. I felt eyes on me, my wolf sat up in my mind, and urged me to look in the window. Something piqued his interest, which was rare, because he would normally block me out when I take a woman, not my mate. He hates it, calls me an i***t for hurting my mate. But I don't get how I am hurting someone I hadn't met yet.

"Hey, look at that. She's one amazing looking chick." My brother, Hudson, who is my Beta, and Caleb, who was my Gamma, were in these positions because my dad thought it would be good to have family in these roles. I didn't like it, so I made my best friend a second Beta; they get along well, and so far, so good. Dad hadn't made a fuss over two men going to be in the Beta position.

I didn't need their encouragement to turn my head, as I was already curious about who was staring at me. I almost mistepped when I saw the most gorgeous girl I had ever seen staring back at me.

She had light blonde hair, almost white, the brightest blue eyes, kissable lips, and a perky nose. I was in a state of wonderlust until Caleb spoke.

"I wouldn't mind banging that, that mouth looks like it was made for my...." He didn't get to finish his statement because I let out a possessive growl.

"Nope, happening." My wolf growled out, having taken over.

"Sorry, you're claiming her?" He replied, backing off, hands raised in surrender.

I pushed my wolf back and gained control. He had never done that before.

"My wolf had made it clear he would protect her at all costs," I replied. I wouldn't apologize; Alphas rarely do.

We had stopped outside the door, and I was looking back at her. She was now on the phone, talking animatedly to someone, a smile on her face, her eyes full of love, and I wished that one day she would look at me like that. Stupid, I don't even know this woman, but my wolf is determined to get to know her soon.

"Going in?' Hudson asked, looking at me, searching my face.

"Nope. We will find her again. I need to calm my wolf down; tomorrow will be a rough enough day without putting new pressure on myself." I replied, turning my back on the restaurant and walking away, against the will of my wolf, who was trying to get me to meet her.

We made it into the club, and a girl came to me. She tried to get my attention. Usually, I might have engaged in conversation and brought her a drink, but this time, I ignored her, and Caleb took over, buying her a drink and taking her to a different table so that I could be alone with my thoughts.

"Want to talk about it?" Hudson asked, sipping his whiskey concoction, which had something added, not sure what, as I have no interest in additives.

"Dirk wants me to go to the girl, I am presently arguing, and blocking him, as he was trying to take over," I grumbled, softly, taking a sip of my tasteless drink.

"Is she your mate?" He pushed. Not letting me stew on my thoughts.

"Not that I know of, I didn't get that impression from my wolf, only that I needed to be with her, and protect her. The other side was lust on my part. She was beautiful." I admit, Hudson and I are as close as brothers can be. He would die for me, and I would do the same for him. We look like twins; many can't tell us apart. Both are six foot ten, with brown hair and eyes. If we wore the same outfit, you would have trouble telling us apart. Being both alphas can send out strong alpha vibes.

"That she was, I wonder who she is?" Hudson said, and it took an effort not to growl at him, What was wrong with my wolf?

"Guess we shall find out sooner or later, now we have seen her, I am sure we will watch out for her," Caleb answered with a shrug of his shoulders. As much as I would like to go in there and find out who she was, I had to move on; my wolf was too worked up for any confrontation today would be more like me growling at her and making myself look like a jerk.

We stopped at the club and relaxed. I ignored all the women. Usually, I'm okay with someone sitting on my lap, even if I don't plan to take them to bed. Having them on my lap doesn't bother me, but today I waved them away, not wanting anyone on my lap.

It felt like I was cheating on my mate, which was stupid because I had not met her yet.

My wolf was getting more and more antsy, wanting his mate, and making it harder for me to be with another woman, before he would sulk and move to the back of my mind, but tonight, he was at the front of my mind, making sure I didn't let any girl on his lap.

My brothers were looking at me, like I had lost my mind or grown a second head. I was not myself tonight, and I couldn't even explain why.

Caleb left with a woman whose top was bursting out, and to me, it couldn't be real. These humans love to do boob enhancements, and although my brother has no trouble with them being false, he loves to hold, massage, kiss, and do all sorts of things with them. I prefer real ones, even if they are tiny. When I nibble on them, I can smell the implant, and for me, that was a turn-off.

So many little things turn me off, and although I have found a way to cope with the smell humans give off, I refuse to change. The other areas take away the fun of investigating a girl's body and finding the perfect spot to make her squeal. I love watching a woman reach her peak. They are so beautiful at that moment.

I watched my brothers enjoying the ladies, Caleb having returned with the girl he disappeared with earlier, a smile on her face, and looking like she had been thoroughly fked.